Cherokee Tobacco Company Moves Cigarette Manufacturing to Halifax County At Virginia Brands

Halifax County, VA -- Cherokee Tobacco Company LLC is moving its cigarette manufacturing operations to Halifax County to the Virginia Brands Plant on Bill Tuck Highway. This completes Cherokee’s move to Halifax County that began in December 2004 when they moved 36 jobs here.

Cherokee Tobacco Company is the exclusive national distributor of Cherokee cigarettes and tobacco products. The national headquarters and distribution center located in the Halifax County/South Boston Industrial Park in the former Medical Textiles building currently owned by the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County. Cherokee Tobacco Company has employees and contractors in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

“We are excited about our agreement with Virginia Brands to manufacture our cigarettes in South Boston,” said C. F. Fuller, President of Cherokee Tobacco Company. “Virginia Brands has been great to work with as we searched for the best place in the United States to manufacture our products. Virginia Brands is the perfect company for us to partner with as we grow and expand our operations nationwide.“This is an excellent example of the importance of existing industry growth in Halifax County,” commented Larry McPeters, Vice-Chairman of the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County. “We are excited to continue to work with these two industries in this partnership for many years to come.”

Marvin Ligon and A.G. Fisher of Virginia brands stated, “We are very enthusiastic and excited about the relocation of Cherokee’s manufacturing to Virginia Brands. We look forward to working with them in the future.”

“Manufacturing our products in the United States is a key component of our business development plan. We made the decision to move our manufacturing operation from Brazil mainly to improve quality control and inventory.”

“We are very excited about this partnership between two of our local businesses. What a great announcement when local companies join forces and keep production local instead of taking it overseas,” stated Mr. William Fitzgerald, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Cherokee tobacco products began being produced in the mid 90’s when a group of businessmen from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian Nation began manufacturing and selling cigarettes. Over the past 10 years, the company has transitioned and other investors who formed Cherokee Tobacco Company obtained the manufacturing and distribution rights. Bill Barker of Danville is the Chairman/CEO. Charles Fuller of Raleigh is the President/COO. CTC employs ten local South Boston residents.

Virginia Brands is located on Bill Tuck Highway. They employ 22 people from the South Boston area. Marvin Ligon and A.G. Fisher started the business in 2003 and are the owners of Virginia Brands.